L'histoire d'un étudiant en Droit allemand qui était venu à Genève pour y passer une année comme un étudiant d'échange et qui ne voulais plus partir après cette année. Aussi l'histoire du dernier étudiant ERASMUS 2006/2007 à Genève.
La meilleure chose qu'on peut et qu'il faut faire pendant l'été à Genève, c'est de prendre un bateau et d'aller au milieu du lac, pour se baigner, boire du rosé et manger des canapés et réjouissez le temps qui fait beau et le couche de soleil sur les montagnes de Jura. En plus, c'était deux semaines avant qu'il me fallait partir de cette ville que j'appelle maintenant ma 2e patrie.
Enjoying the sunlight
Perfect pose
C'est la fin de deux ans incroyables à Genève, deux ans, avec des expériences, des rencontres et des amis que je ne veux pas manquer, mais l'histoire continuera, peut-être déjà en Mai... pour l'instant, merci beaucoup pour avoir lu ce blog
Kofi Annan was giving the first lecture in memory of Sergio Vieira Melo who was killed during the attempt at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad.
He is definitely one of the most charismatic persons I have met, but not one of the tallest one. I always presumed, perhaps also due to his reputation, that he is a giant, but he is actually rather short. However, it was definitely special to meet him. If you are interested in getting more information about his work with his new foundation in Geneva, here is the link to the homepage
With his wife after the lecture
Due to my not technical gifted photographer, I was not able to get a photo with him, although he was posing with us for the camera...
I finally made it to the first ice-hockey match of my life and it was amazing. Geneva was playing against Fribourg in the first match of the half-final in the play-offs. The game was a true heart stopper, Geneva being being behind with one goal in the 17th minute of the third period, finished by winning the game by scoring 3 goals in the 3 remaining minutes. Here the summary of the game from the home-page of Genève-Cervette:
It was in a filled to capacity arena that Genève-Servette welcomed Fribourg-Gottéron for the first game of the semi-finals last night at les Vernets. The 6837 spectators amassed in the stands witnessed a 60 minute see-saw battle with goals, powerplays and nail biting drama for both teams. At the end however, the Eagles proved themselves the better team with a come from behind victory to take the first match and series lead 1-0.
From the get go both teams hit the ice with similar intentions and tactics. Excitement and nervouseness from the players led to numerous interventions from referee Daniel Stricker, who offered powerplay and penalty killing situations for both teams. It was Genève-Servette however that took advantage of the extra attacker to score two goals (Aubin, Bezina) in the first 20 minutes. With the score favourabe for the Eagles at 2-1 the two teams hit the dressing room for the first intermission.
The second period was a close checking affair with no goals scored.
What the second period lacked though, the third period offered in adundance! The Eagles missed a number of chances to put the game away thus giving the Dragons a slight psychological advantage. The visiting team did not falter and used the momentum to take the lead with two goals from Sprunger and Makiaho. Pressed by the incredible fans, the Eagles reacted in the best possible manner as the end of the game neared. On a risky move by Chris McSorley, which involved pulling the goalie with 3 minutes remaining, Fedulov tied the score to send the crowd into a frenzy. With the crowd still standing from the last goal, the public went absolutely wild when Meunier reeled in a pass from Fedulov, split the defence and deked Caron for the go ahead goal. Fribourg pulled out all the stops at the end which allowed Vigier to put in an open net goal and finish the score line at 5-3. What a finish !
To their credit, the Eagles were able to turn a difficult situation into a winning one with courage, conviction and flair. Game two is scheduled for Tuesday in Fribourg where the Eagles will need to be completely focussed if they plan to repeat such a performance in enemy territory.
Yesterday evening, there was the unique opportunity to see famous Chinese pianist Lang Lang live in concert at the Victoria Hall here in Geneva.
The façade
Etabli à Genève depuis son adolescence, le Consul d'Angleterre Daniel Fitzgerald Packenham Barton (1850-1907) a deux passions, la navigation et la musique, et dispose d'une fortune considérable pour les assouvir laquelle lui permet d'entretenir une flotte personnelle sur le lac, de créer l'Harmonie nautique en 1883 et de faire construire par l'architecte genevois John Camoletti une salle de concert qu'il dédie à sa souveraine, la reine Victoria.
Elevé entre 1891 et 1894 à proximité du Grand Théâtre et du Conservatoire de musique, l'édifice comprend une façade caractéristique du style "Beaux-Arts" ; l'encadrement de la porte est surmonté d'un édicule encadrant les armoiries des familles Barton et Peel, et servant de socle à l'allégorie de l'Harmonie, oeuvre de Joseph Massarotti sur un modèle du sculpteur parisien Jean Coulon. Le corps central de la façade développe une fausse loggia teintée de rouge pompéien soulignée par deux colonnes ioniques monumentales. Plus austères, les corps latéraux sont traités comme des tours d'angle massives sur lesquelles sont gravés les noms de seize compositeurs symphoniques.
La sobriété du vestibule ne présage en rien l'opulence décorative de la salle de concert, formée d'un parterre, de deux galeries et d'une scène, qui exhibe avec faste un décor stuqué néo-baroque, voire rococo. La diversité plastique des guirlandes, cartouches, cariatides et autres mascarons est rehaussée par d'abondantes dorures à la feuille, qui s'harmonisent avec la tonalité dominante rouge profond de l'ensemble.
En 1904, Barton donne l'édifice à la Ville de Genève. Quatre-vingts ans plus tard, la salle de concerts est la proie des flammes, qui détruisent en partie le décor intérieur. La Ville décide de restaurer le bâtiment. Les stucs sont reconstitués selon un procédé semblable à la mise en oeuvre d'origine. Les décors du peintre Ernest Biéler, représentant les harmonies terrestres s'élevant vers les harmonies célestes dans les trois grands médaillons peints du plafond, irrémédiablement altérés, sont remplacés par une oeuvre contemporaine signée Dominique Appia.
Dédié aujourd'hui principalement à la musique classique, le Victoria Hall accueille aussi quelques grands noms de la chanson, du jazz ou des musiques du monde. La magnificence de la salle se double de qualités acoustiques unanimement qualifiées d'exceptionnelles par les mélomanes.
A l'intérieur
Standing ovations afterwards for a splendid performance for Lang Lang (standing in the background)
First two videos: Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828): Sonate pour piano no. 20, en la majeur, D 959 (op. posth.)
Frédéric Chopin (1810 - 1849): Polonaise no. 6 op.53, en la bémol majeur "Héroique"
Pour tous les tourteraux entre vous ;) Les 3 mots, les plus importants dans les langues suivantes: suédois,afrikaans, gallois, espagnol, allemand, norvégien, italien, néerlandais, anglais :)!
pour (encore) les semaines suivantes. Après avoir passé les examens, on a reprit le travail pour notre Moot Court, le Concours Rousseau dans notre cabine ou box dans la bibliothèque de droit. Donc, la plupart de ma vie se déroule maintenant dans ce petit endroit dans lequel nous pouvons gardé aussi les livres pour plusieurs semaines. Notre petite bibliothèque.
Or, pendant les semaines suivantes, il n'y aura pas beaucoup de mise en jour de mon blog, comme il me manquera de sortir beaucoup.
Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for about 200 years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard (poet). The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory. The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive the haggis.
THE FORMAT FOR A BURNS SUPPER Chairperson's opening address: A few welcoming words start the evening and the meal commences with the Selkirk Grace The company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To A Haggis, with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight', he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife.
It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky.
The company will then dine. The Bill O’ Fare is as follows: (and no, a translation will not be provided!) Cock-a-leekie soup * Haggis warm reeking, rich wi' Tatties, Bashed Neeps * Shortbread, Cheese and Oatcakes * A Tassie o' Coffee The Immortal Memory
One of the central features of the evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.
Toast To The Lasses
The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a time to toast the 'lasses' in Burns' life. The tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a concilliatory note.
Response
The turn of the lasses to detail men's foibles. Again, should be humorous but not insulting.
Poem and Songs
Once the speeches are complete the evening continues with songs and poems. These should be a good variety to fully show the different moods of Burns muse. Favourites for recitations are Tam O' Shanter, To A Mouse, A Man’s a Man for A’ That and My Love is like a Red, Red Rose( how many we get through will depend on the general sobriety/appreciation/patience of the company!)
The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking hands and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the programme.
